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.350 



ADDRESS 



DELIVERED AT SOUTH COVENTRY, CONN., 



AT THE REQUEST OF THE 



HALE MONUMENT ASSOCIATION, 



NOVEMBER 25, 1836. 



BY 



ANDREW T. JUDSON. 







NORWICH: 
AURORA PRESS. 

1837. 



E"S80 



ADDRESS. 



Fellow Citizens : — Is there to be found within this 
extended republic, one American heart emiting the pur- 
pie current of life, which does not beat more quickly 7 
Is there within this diversified climate, or upon this pro- 
ductive soil, one bosom which does not swell with 
more ardor ? Is there in all this home of the brave 
and the free, one patriot whose soul is not fired up with- 
in him Avhen he contemplates the scenes of the Amer- 
ican revolution 1 When those deeds of noble daring 
are re-counted in his presence — when those tales of 
suffering and woe are recapitulated by the fire-side, 
or at the New England hearth, how does the eye spar- 
kle with conscious delight, that a conflict so momen- 
tous, terminated in victory, triumphant victory! victo- 
ry of arms, and victory of principles ! ! 

What was that conflict, and who were the parties 
engaged 7 The conflict was for life and libertij, and the 
parties involved were the oppixssors on one side, and 
the oppixssecl on the other. The oppressors were, a 
King with his crowned head and vast prerogatives, 
combined with the aristocracy and their wealth. The 
oppressed were the people, honest in purpose, industrious 
in habit, and virtuous in principle. You are the de- 
scendants of that noble race of men, and you are now 
enjoying the fruits of liberty, and the glorious bles- 
sings of freedom purchased by their blood. No, no all. 

In surveying this large assembly, I see here and 
there one, who, himself belonged to that race — who 
participated in those sufferings — who, with his own 
ear, heard the sighs and groans — whose own arm was 
nerved in our defence — whose bosom was laid bare to 
the bayonet — and whose blood flowed out like water 
for his country ! Brave Men ! — choice remnant of that 
patriotic band of citizens whose names and deeds shall 
be immortal ! ! You have resisted the tyrant's pow- 
er ; you have fought the battles of your country ; yoii 
have established her as an independent Nation ; a Na- 
tion of FreeiKien ; and we rejoice to meet you in the 



full enjoyment of the blessings of that victory. So 
signal was your success, — so triumphant the victory, — 
and so happy its fruits, that we believe aged and de- 
crepid, war-worn, and time-honored as you are, all those 
battles would be fought over again, in preference to 
submission or dishonor. * You well remember the mo- 
ther country was then the mistress of the earth and the 
ocean. She had soldiers and money ; she had sailors 
and ships ready to co-operate in vsubjecting to the con- 
dition of vassals, the hardiest race of honest Freemen 
that ever lived. 

Edict followed edict. Decree followed decree. — 
Tax succeeded tax, in quick succession, and all to stay 
your growth, to humiliate your pride, to break down 
your spirit, and to put out the light of freedom which 
had been kindled up in your souls ! ! Fetters and man- 
acles were forged beyond the seas, and brought hith- 
er, alike for the humble and the lofty in spirit ; for the 
young aspirant and veteran ; for the poverty stricken 
and the rich ; the one to keep forever in the dust, and 
the other to humble to the same condition. 

By this revolutionary struggle ; by these physical and 
moral energies; by this mighty effort of body and mind, 
the tyrant's grasp was unloosed, the iron fetters were 
dissolved, and Liberty was yours. 

The splendor of that victory can only be seen, when 
we estimate the hnmeasurable difference between the 
parties engaged. 

Let us review the troops on either side. The van- 
tage ground is all with the enemy. Diey were strong 
in numbers, well disciplined, well armed, and well 
supplied. Hits was but an infant country, weak, un- 
disciplined, and destitute of all those resources so essen- 
tial to the existenceof an army. Tliey had been schooled 
in the wars of olden time, but the pursuits of this peo- 
2jle had been around their domestic fire-sides and altars, 
paying their humble devotions to that Being whose 
kind Providence had guided them across the pathless 
deep,and planted their feet upon asoil destined to be free. 

The causes which led you into this unequal and 
bloody conflict, where so many of your brethren perish- 
ed, need not be repeated here. They constitute a por- 
tion of our common history. They have been made 

Thtrs ••Tix^ present, t'.vestv-five revolutionarv soldier*. 



the theme of eloquent discourse by the Orator and the 
Statesman — by the Patriot and the Hero. They are 
recited in the declaration of your country's wrongs, 
drawn up by one whose name shall descend with it 
to future generations as immortal, and this has been 
read, and will continue to be read in every part of the 
habitable globe, where the light of civilization has ever 
shone. It has caused the cheek of many a tyrant to 
blush with shame and guilt, and v»nll be held up as a 
'warning to those who love to oppress mankind. It shall 
be the guide to the disciples of liberty, and a beacon of 
terror to those who would be their masters. 

Wherever America is known, there her cause is 
known also ; and wherever her history is read, there 
also will be read the tyrant's doom. 

If there was any period of the struggle of which 
we have been speaking, more gloomy and doubtful 
than another — if there was any portion of the time 
when clouds impenetrable, and darkness invisible over- 
shadowed the country, when even the eye of faith could 
not discern the portentious sky, it was in severity six. 

A band of bold Patriots, fifty-five in number, repre- 
senting thirteen Colonies, in a manner the most solemn, 
and form the most imposing, had dissolved all connec- 
tion with the British Crown, and " pledged their fortunes, 
their lives, and their sacred honor" for its mainte- 
nance. The step itself was calculated to arouse the 
lion in his den. The signal w^as given for the aristoc- 
racy to buckle on their armor and go forth to the res- 
cue. You are the witnesses that the spirit of cold- 
blooded revenge and deep malignity characterized the 
arm of power, and suspended it over the abode of the 
innocent. 

Let us imagine ourselves present when this document 
is first carried home to the Throne ! The Lords are 
there assembled to hear the voice of the " rebels." — 
The signatures are all carefully examined,and found au- 
thentic. The rebellious paper is read over ! See the 
brow^ of Majesty frowning, and knitting with revenge, 
while the mind is running through the long catalogue 
of punishments to be inflicted upon such daring, pre- 
sumptions out-laws ! 



'' These, yea, all these men were once my faithful sub- 
jects. They have long contributed largely to my treasu- 
ry. Some of them have fought for the honor of my 
crown. They have long borne my yoke, which / say is 
easy. Lords, here are my prerogatives : here are the 
keys to my treasury : bring back these rebellious sons to 
duty and submission. They constitute the brightest jew- 
el of my crown : suffer not that jewel to be plucked out. 
You see my sceptre is drawn, and never shall it be re- 
turned, until submission, or the last drop of their blood 
is poured out upon the earth." A response the most 
hearty is given to this address, by the noble Lords in at- 
tendance, and thirty-three thousand choice spirits, well 
selected, are immediately equipped and sent hither for 
the work ! See their ships riding upon the mountain 
wave ! — Hear the soldiers concerting their schemes to 
divide the spoils, and partition out your inheritance ! — 
Hear them consulting how to erect the gibbet ! ! ! — They 
come ! a landing is eljfected upon Long-Island, on the 2d 
day of August, 1776. Washmgto?i and his little army are 
there, relying upon the justice of their cause, and each 
heart is glowing with patriotism and zeal, while liberty or 
death resound through their ranks, as the watch-word of 
freemen. 

On the 27th of August, 1776, this most unequal con- 
test commences : and its termination has long since been 
recordetl by the historians of both countries. It would 
give us pain now to look back, or dwell upon its sad de- 
tails ! Three thousand brave x\mericanswere slaughter- 
ed upon the field of battle, or made prisoners by the inva- 
ding army ! This is not all. An English historian ad- 
mits the fact, that " a body of provincials, were put to 
death after they had thrown down their arms and asked 
for quarters !" O ! how relentless, babarous, and cruel, 
is this blood-stained act ! Here we have the oppressors 
and the oppressed face to face ; the oppressed fall before 
the arm of power, begging for quarters ! — for life ! but 
there is neither mercy, nor quarters, nor life for them ! 

The Commander-in-chief perceives that all is lost, un- 
less this position is abandoned to the enemy. The re- 
treat from that position was peculiarly favored by Provi- 
dence, and the American army take shelter in the city of 
New-York. This partial success of the enemy heigh- 
tens their courage, and the Americans are again forced 



to retreat, leaving that city in the possession of the inva- 
ders. A portion of the city is now on fire, and so fero- 
cious still is that spirit which actuates the King's troops, 
that some of your brethren are seized, bound hand and 
foot, thrust hito the flames, and burnt alive ! ! ! Ameri- 
cans burnt alive because they aspn-e to freedom ! Indeed 
this was a period of gloom ! British soldiers ! did you 
suppose that the genius of liberty would be consumed 
with these perishing bodies ? Not so. The light of 
such a flame sent its rays to the remotest parts of the 
land. Soon, forts Washington and Lee are compelled 
to surrender. Their field pieces, their amunition, and 
all their stores become auxiliaries to the enemy's power. 
The little fleet built by Congress, is rendered useless, 
and the American army are again assailed at Harlem 
Heights, where the intrepid CoL Knowlton falls ! 

This general gloom and universal dismay is increased 
by the well authenticated fact, that hundreds who com- 
menced the rovolution, were turning back, and deserting 
its principles. At this juncture. Lord Cornwallis, in a 
communication to his own government, assured them 
that many were coming to the standard of the King, in 
despair, and abandoning the American cause as utterly 
hopeless. 

Fellow citizens ! these were the " times that tried men's 
souls." Truly these were days of darkness and gloom ! 
The fond hope which so long had sustained the patriot 
in the pursuit of liberty, was now yielding to despair, and 
the anticipations of the future were heavier chains and 
more grievous burthens ! ! 

We have assembled to-day, around the sacred altar of 
Freedom, whose foundation has been laid so deep, for the 
purpose of commemorating the life, character, services, 
and death of an American Captain, whose career was ter- 
minated during this period of darkness and gloom. — One 
who never faltered in the hour of peril, and one who fell 
a victim to relentless power, and died a martyr in his 
country's cause. 

CAPTAIN NATHAN HALE. 
May I be permitted to speak of his virtues, his bravery, 
his fidelity, his honor, and his devotion to that cause 
which has illumined the world? For considerations 
like these, this placa is peculiarly appropriate. This 



8 

was his birth-place on the Cth of June, 1755. Here 
were his kindred, some of whom survive, and are now 
gratified with the respect you pay his memory. Here he 
received the first rudiments of a pohshed education. — 
Here was that mother to whom he would have sent back, 
in sweet accents of love and tenderness, his latest aspi- 
rations. Here, upon this very spot, and in this very 
church, he paid his earliest devotions. Before this altar 
he first bent the knee in reverence to the God of his fa- 
thers. Among this community he first inhaled that fer- 
vent and glowing spirit of patriotism, which conducted 
him to the field of battle. Here was his abode when the 
first blood was shed at Lexington. When that intelli- 
gence reached him, he resolved to defend his country. — 
This noble resolution was kept, but his life became the 
forfeit ! Will you not love to dwell on his memory ? — 
When a patriot dies we admire to count over his achieve- 
ments — to enumerate his sufferings — to bear his lifeless 
corpse on our shoulders — to linger about his grave, and 
water it with our tears. When a soldier dies defending 
his country — defending our rights — our interests — our 
homes and our altars, we should venerate his memory. 
It is but just and proper : it makes us better men and 
better citizens ; we retire from such contemplations 
with elevated thoughts and enlarged hearts. 

The life of Captain Hale was short but eventful. Its 
termination was under rare circumstances of intrepidity 
and cruelty, but it was for his country, and it yet remains 
for that country to do justice to his name. 

The Report of a select Committee of the House of 
Representatives, in the 24th Congress, has aflforded us 
a sketch of his public services, and early death, in the 
following language ;* 

January 19, 1836. 
The Select Committee, to which was referred the pe- 
tition of the citizens of the town of Coventry, in the State 
of Connecticut, praying that a monument be erected to 
the memory of Captain Nathan Hale, have attended to 
the subject referred to them, and now beg leave to Re- 
port : That Nathan Hale, a citizan of the town of Cov- 

* The Select Committee were composed of the following memhers t 
Mr. Judson, of Connecticut, Mr. Pearce, of Rhode Island, Mr. Lanei of 
Indiana, Mr. Hunt, of New .York, Mr. Dickson, of Mississippi. 



entry, Connecticut, had just completed his collegiate 
studies, when the battle of Lexington kindled within his 
youthful bogom, a spirit of patriotism and love of coun- 
try, which immediately conducted him into the field for 
their defence. 

Before arriving at the age of twenty-one, a captain's 
commission was tendered him, and he soon became an 
efficient officer in the continental army, where his activi- 
ty, zeal and ardent patriotism commanded universal ad- 
miration. The company under his command, participa- 
ting in the same spirit, and being influenced by his glow- 
ing patriotism, submitted themselves to a system of dis- 
cipline, before unknown to the army, which produced 
very beneficial results. 

In the summer of 1776, the main body of the Ameri- 
can army was called to the defence of the city of New- 
York, and its vicinity. The public enemy had eflTected 
their landing upon Long-Island, embodying a force far 
superior in numbers and disciplme, to those engaged in 
defending this country. General Washington found it 
necessary to withdraw the American army from the is- 
land, and that movement was conducted with singular 
ability and success, on the morning of the 30th day of 
August, 1776. Captain Hale's company were among 
those who thus fortunately escaped capture. This 
was a period of deep interest to the whole country. 
But a few days previous, the colonies had assumed the 
high responsibility of independence, an event in its nature 
calculated to arouse the British army to deeds of despe- 
ration. 

The American army sought refuge in the city of New- 
York, and while there, it became important to ascertain 
the numerical force and contemplated operations of the 
enemy ; for upon that knowledge depended the safety of 
the American army, and perhaps the American nation. 

The commander-in-chief, at a crisis so important, 
summoned his officers to meet in council, and the result 
ofthat council was, to send some one competent to the 
task, into the heart of the enemy's camp : and Col. 
Knowlton was charged with the selection of an individual 
to perform this service. 

The nature of the service admitting no delay, a pro- 
position was submitted by Col, Knowlton to the officers, 
when young Hale was the only one to be found ready to 

2 



10 

meet these perils. His youth, intelhgencc, learnin^^, 
pohshed manners, discriminating judgment, and fidehty, 
all combined to recommend him to the commander-in- 
chief ; but his personal friends, perceiving the inevitable 
fate of a brave young man, in the event of discovery, in- 
terposed their kind remonstrances : but it was enough 
whatever danger awaited him, that Captain Hale should 
know that his country demanded his services. 

General Washington's humane feehngs were so pre- 
dominant, that he would only invite these services, but 
not command them, and when tendered, in the person of 
Captain Hale, his instructions were communicated by 
the Commander-in-chief. 

With these instructions. Captain Hale effected his 
landing upon the island, and, with great caution, proceed- 
ed to the encampment, and there he made a minute ex- 
amination of the lines, posts, and numbers of the enemy, 
together with their contemplated movements. 

This having been accomplished, he left the encamp- 
ment, cherishing the fond hope that in a few hours he 
would be in the presence of the commander-in-chief, 
with information important for his countrymen, in the 
preservation of their lives and liberties. 

It was with animated step he proceeded to the river's 
bank, and the moment the boat was leaving the shore. 
Captain Hale was seized as a spy, taken back to the 
British commander, who ordered him hufig the next m,or^ 



nins 



This peremptory order was carried into effect, in a 
manner cruel, barbarous, and revengeful, by a refugee, ta 
whom his person had been delivered for that purpose by 
the British commander. 

Such were the circumstances of the death of a brave 
young officer, whose last words were expressive of deep 
regret, " that he had but one life to lose for his country." 

Succeeding events developed the great importance of 
those services committed to this unfortunate young man. 

The British army, following up their temporary success 
upon Long-Island, took possession of the city of New- 
York, and on the 16th day of September, 1776, the gal- 
lant Colonel Knowlton, at whose instance Captain Hale 
became a volunteer, fell hunself in battle, at Harlem 
Heights, fighting gloriously in the same cause. 

Arnold's treason followed these events, and the cases 



11 

of Capt.Hale and Maj .Andre have been deemed parallel. 
In some respects they were so. The nature of the ser- 
vice was identical. Both were young — both well educa- 
ted — both ardent and brave ; one for his king, and the 
other for his country ; and each fell a victim to the rigor- 
ous laws of war ; and yet how different were those laws 
executed uponjthe two individuals, and how different have 
the respective nations regarded their memory ! Before of- 
ficers of honorable rank and character, Major Andre was 
allow^ed an impartial trial!; his last moments were soothed 
by tenderness, sompathy, and tears ; his letters were pre- 
served, and delivered over in sacred trust to his kindred. 

By an order of His Gracious Sovereign, his ashes have 
been transported across the Atlantic, assigned a place 
with the great and the brave in Westminster Abbey, and 
a proud monument has been erected to his memory. 

It has not been thus with Captain Hale — a victim in our 
cause, a martyr to our principles ! Arrested and deliver- 
ed over to a refugee, Captain Hale was immediately exe- 
cuted, without even the form of a trial. Educated in a 
christian land, taught to venerate the religion of the gos- 
pel, in this trying hour the refugee denied him the use of 
a Bible, and refused him the consolations of its ministers. 
He was indeed permitted to consecrate some few of his 
last moments in writing to his mother ; but as soon as the 
work of death was done, this testimony of affection was 
destroyed by the hand of the refugee, assigning as the 
cause, " that the rebels should never know they had a 
man in their army who could die with such firmness." — 
And well might the refugee, whose part had been so con- 
spicuous in this scene, desire to conceal from " Washing- 
ton's rebels," the last aspirations of an American soldier 
in the cause of freedom. 

The Conamittee, being deeply impressed with the 
opinion that such services and sufferings in the war of the 
Revolution, demand the remembrance, and should re- 
ceive the gratitude of the nation ; therefore they respect- 
fully recoimnend the adoption of the accompanying reso- 
lution : 

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America, in Congress assembled, 

That the Governor of the State of Connecticut be, and 
he is hereby authorized to employ some suitable person 
to erect a monument, with appropriate inscriptions, 
within the public cemetry in the town of Coventry, Con- 



12 

necticut, commemorating the services and death of Cap- 
tain Nathan Hale, in the war of the Revolution : Pro- 
vided, That the expense thereof shall not exceed the 
sum of One Thousand Dollars. 

A fact, interesting as it is important, has come to the 
knowledge of the person now addressing you, since that 
Report was made to Congress, and I rejoice to be able, 
in this public manner, to communicate that fact to this au- 
dience, and the country, that it may be added to the list 
of brave actions already known of Captain Hale. 

As I have the fact from one of your respected fellow^- 
citizens, whose life has been preserved to the present oc- 
casion, and who is now in your presence, I am at full lib- 
erty to make the statement. 

Among other causes of distress in seventy-six, the 
American army were short of provisions and clothing, 
suited to their wants. While the two armies were in 
preparation for the engagement already alluded to, of 
the 27th of August, it was ascertained, that an English 
Sloop, with supplies of these essential articles, had ar- 
rived in the East River, and lay there, under the protec- 
tion of the Ship Asia, mounting ninety guns. Captain 
Hale conceived the bold project of capturing this sloop 
and bringing her into the port of New-York. He soon 
found a sufficient number of bold hearts and stout hands, 
to make the trial. 

At the hour appointed, they assembled, and crossed 
the river in their faithful little bark, skimming so lightly 
over the water, as to excite no alarm from any quarter. 
They passed cautiously down by the shore to a point of 
land nearest the sloop, where they ceased to ply the 
oar, and waited for the moon to sink below the horizon. 
It was at the dead hour of the night, and all was hushed 
in silence, excepting only the watchman on the quarter- 
deck of the Asia : his voice came in the breeze, " all is 
well," when Captain Hale's men " pulled away" for the 
Sloop, and soon found themselves alongside, and in an 
instant more she was boarded, and away she came with 
Captain Hale at the helm, and the British tars in the 
hold ! When she struck the wharf this new commander 
and his American crew were received with three cheers, 
and soon the liberal hand of Captain Hale distributed the 
prize goods to feed the hungry and clothe the naked of 
our own army. 



13 

There is another fact connected with Captain Hale's 
history, not generally known by the American people. 
When preparations were making by General Washing- 
ton to send Captain Hale over to the camp of the ene- 
my, to obtain information of their position, and future 
movements, an intimate friend, an officer of the same 
rank, but much older than himself, interposed his advice. 
Interested as he then appeared for young Hale's welfare, 
the advice came with high claims to his deliberate con- 
sideration. 

The service required, he said, was peculiarly hazard- 
ous. Discovery was almost certain, and then death 
would be inevitable. He urged and entreated Captain 
Hale to reject, altogether. General Washington's propo- 
sition, — but no! the Commander-in-chief had mada an 
appeal to his officers for the immediate performance of 
this service: true, the service was delicate, and imminent- 
ly hazardous, but its importance must out-weigh every 
other consideration. 

This advice came from Captain William Hull, after- 
wards General Hull, who, at the commencement of the 
late war, surrendered the American army at Detroit. 

This early developement of General Hull's character, 
may go far to furnish the true cause of an act so dis- 
graceful to our arms, and so withering to his name and 
prospects. This act, by many, has been attributed to 
bribery, but perhaps you will rather consider it as the re- 
sult of weakness and cowardice, both so early exhibited 
in the advice proffered to Captain Hale. Fear of death, 
in the mind of Hull, overbalanced duty and honor. — 
" Death," said he, " will be the inevitable consequence of 
discovery." Hear the reply of a brave man : " A soldier 
should never consult his fears,' when duty calls. In this 
case my Commander-in-chief deems the service essential 
to the preservation of the American army, and, perhaps, 
the nation. I cannot stop to calculate the chances of 
danger, — I go !" 

What a misfortune that Hull did not profit by this sen- 
timent. Instead of surrendering to General Brock, he 
should have met him on the line of his country, and cap- 
tured the British army. Then, how much treasure, and 
how many precious lives might have been saved the Uni- 
ted States ? 

The influence of that single act of Hull was apparent 



14 

upon the councils of the British nation. The northern 
frontier was innnediately selected as the great theatre of 
war operations. 

Our soil liad been invaded, and our army surrendered 
without the discharge of a single gun ! 

To re-establish our name and character, we are 
obliged to fortify — to build a Navy on the Lakes, and the 
blood of our own brethren must be poured out at Queens- 
ton, Eric, Bridgewater, Lundy's Lane, Chippewa, and 
Niagara. And this blood must continue to flow, until the 
soul-stirring words of the dying Lawrence, " dont give 
up the ship," and the emphatic language of the gallant 
Perry, " we have met the enemy and they are ours," be- 
come the prevailing sentiments of the nation, and then 
the conquest is easy. This language, how patriotic and 
bold ! Contrast it with Hull's language, " here is my 
sword, and here are the American soldiers." 

A brave man and n coward stand at the two remotest 
points — at the fartherest extremes from each other. Hale 
served his country fearlessly and died a brave sol- 
dier. Halt was convicted of cowardice, and sentenced 
to be shot. The memory of the one is beloved, and the 
other hated. The name of one shall adorn our history, 
and the other forever remain a disgraceful blot. 

Let me invite you to go back to the day of Captain 
Hale's trial and execution. — Trial, did I say ? He had 
none. He was arrested and carried into the camp of the 
enemy, and not allowed the privilege that the meanest 
coward enjoys, of being arraigned before officers of rank 
and character : of asserting his own innocence, or of ap- 
pealing to their magnanimity. The Provost General as- 
sumes the power to pass the sentence of death, and for 
execution he delivers him over into the hands of a cold- 
blooded barbarous Refugee, whose heart, by deserting 
his country's cause, had changed into the coldest marble, 
and whose fiend-like revenge could not be satiated until 
his hands should be imbued in the blood of innocence 
and honor. 

See this traitor as he prepares the halter for his victim ! 
— waiting with feverish impatience for the moment 
— for the sun to rise, that he may be sure of adjusting the 
rope m a manner that shall cause the greatest agony. 

That there may be no unnecessary delay in this work of 
death, he goes early to arouse his victim. He finds him 



15 

just sealing that letter ! He snatches it from his hand, 
tears it in pieces, and commits the scattered fragments to 
the flames, and leaves him still another moment or two, 
for sadness and reflection. 

The Refugee returns to announce that all things are 
ready, and, as he may have other work to do, this must 
be despatched immediately. Young Hale is now upon 
his bended knees, imploring the presence of his Savior, 
while he shall pass through the dark valley, and his inter- 
cession too at the throne of grace. 

" Come, young rebel ! put on this halter, it wifl soon 
despatch you, and test youv prete?ided love of country!" 

" O, my country ! that I had another life for thee ! ! !" 

It is done ! — it is done ! ! The spirit of your beloved 
friend — your companion in arms — your neighbor — the 
pride of your State — the confident of Washington, is 
launched into eternity, and his body is covered with a 
scanty morsel of earth ! It is not enough to murder the 
son, but the very heart strings of the adoring parents must 
be riven assunder. His dear mother shall not be allowed 
the consolation of seeing his '•'-farewell^'' traced with his 
own hand at the moment of his exit. This letter ! — she 
never shall deposit the sad relic in her bosom, nor bind it 
around her aching heart. Would that I could read you 
that letter to-day, to show you how a patriot could die for 
his country. 

Such were the services, sufferings, fidelity, character, 
and death of the Soldier whose death we have assembled 
to honor. Removed, as you are, but one generation from 
him, and the events connected with his history, you know 
the story, and can tell it to your children. But such 
events demand more. Their relation and connection 
with our liberties are too important longer to remain neg- 
lected. These events must be perpetuated. 

Mr. President, and the members of the '■'•Hale Monu- 
ment Association:''^ — Your Society has been organized for 
this laudable, this praise-worthy object. It will not only 
interest you individually, but it will awaken an interest in 
this whole community. It will interest the nation. 

The first concern should be to look out the spot where 
the mortal remains of this Patriot were left by that barba- 
rian, the Refugee. It is now sixty years, and no stone 
has marked that spot — no chisel has sketched even the 
day of his death. How long shall such deep ingratitude 



16 

be written against us ? Bring his bones hither, whitened 
as they may be by Time's rapid current, and deposit them 
in yonder consecrated cemetry, that their dust may min- 
gle with the dust of his kindred. Let the soil of his own 
native town be their gentle covering. But alas ! I fear 
your search may be in vain ! This service I know you 
w ould undertake cheerfully, could there be the remotest 
prospect of success. The fatal tree, years gone by, has 
been hewed down by the wood-cutter's axe, and a city has 
been erected over the " camp ground." Perhaps the un- 
conscious traveller is heedlessly walking over his dust, or 
treading upon his ashes : or, possibly, the earth itself has 
been deeply excavated, and cast into the sea, and has be- 
come the sport of the waves ! ! What then will you do ? 
Every voice responds the answer, we will erect a Monu- 
ment to his memory, and that answer shall be heard by 
every freeman whose rights are sealed with the patriot's 
blood. Let its base stand on freedom's soil, for he died in 
its defence. 

We will first invite every surviving soldier of the re- 
volution, his brother in arms, to join in the work. Your 
ranks are rapidly thinning, and, in a few years more, it 
will be said of you all, " they are gone," and what last 
work can you perform more gratifying than this ? We 
will invite the Patriot also. If he love his country, he 
will no longer delay this work, for it was by such sacri- 
fices that he calls America the " home of the brave." 

We will invite every citizen of his native town. You 
must see that this work goes on. He was your pride and 
boast. The soil you inherit, was made free by his death ! 

We invite the citizens of the County and State, under 
whose banners he fought. Yea, w-e invite the Govern- 
ment of our country, rich and powerful as she is, to place 
the foundation stotie. For without such services and sa- 
crifices, we might still have remained the vassals and 
slaves of a tyrant. 

The bill which received the unanimous sanction of the 
Committee, is now before Congress, and will present it- 
self for their consideration and action, at the coming ses- 
sion. That bill proposes an appropriation to this object, 
and your association is to co-operate in the measure. 

Captain Hale captured an Enghsh Sloop, of much val- 
ue, and distributed its cargo to feed the hungry and clothe 
the naked soldiers. He served his country without pay, 



17 

and died in her defence : and as yet she has never given 
a dollar to afford him a christian burial ! ! 

Can it be supposed this duty will long be neglected ? — 
It is for the interest as well as the honor of the country, 
that good faith should be maintained with those who may 
have been called to its defence. Do we not all remember 
the immense cost of recruiting the army during the late 
war ? Congress was obliged to stipulate with the sol- 
dier, to pay him large bounties in land and money, and 
to pension the widow and the orphan, in case the soldier 
should die in the service. These heavy charges came 
upon the country, because the soldiers of the revolution 
had been speculated upon, and cheated out of their hon- 
est wages. They were forsaken, to live in poverty and 
die in forgetfulness. Had the war-worn soldier of the 
revolution been met with fidelity and justice, the nation 
would have found much less difficulty iu filling up the 
army in the last war. 

Here were the old veterans^ with their fortunes spent, — ■ 
their constitutions broken ! Here were the widows and 
orphans, begging their bread, and the country was in 
the full enjoyment of the services of the husband and pa- 
rent, through a seven years' war ! While such objects 
met the eye, who could expect others to fight our battles ? 

Feed and clothe your soldiers — pay them justly — hon- 
or their memory when dead, and there will be no lack of 
numbers to rise up in your defence. Starve them while 
in your service, and send them naked away, and who 
will again come to your standard ? It was the great se- 
cret of Napoleon's success, that his soldiers received 
their just reward. 

Since 1818, this country has been attoning for that 
immense injustice toward the soldiers of the revolution. 

Will it be said that Monuments for the dead are so 
many marks of superstition ? What then ? It is not 
my business to hold a controversy with any one, about 
mere names. If the tendency of monumental inscriptions 
is to perpetuate great national events, or to excite patriot- 
ism and love of country, be it superstition ! It has been 
the custom of all nations to resort to the erection of mon- 
uments, and to monumental inscriptions, to transmit from 
one generation to another, events connected with their 
glory. Possibly I may be now addressing some "^ho 
say that events like these may be transmitted by history^ 

3 



18 

But let history stand corroborated by the imperishable 
marble. Because the mind or the heart maybe improved 
through the medium of one faculty, are we to discard 
every other ? May not the heart be softened, the mem- 
ory strengthened, and patriotism warmed by visible me- 
mentos as well as by historical representations ? Why 
are the fine arts, painting and sculpture, ever patronized 
and studied, but for these very objects ? Who visits 
Bunker-Hill, and beholds that rising monument, without 
renewing his allegiance to his counUy ? The events of 
the 17th of June, 1775, trace themselves anew on his 
memory. Around this spot, consecrated by the blood of 
so many of his fellow-men, he finds numerous associa- 
tions and recollections dear to the patriot's heart impel- 
ling him onward in that cause so early espoused, and so 
zealously defended. 

Is he a citizen of Connecticut, what are his impres- 
sions when he visits Groton Heights, and reads the in- 
scriptions upon that monument ? Will they not tell him, 
in a manner which history can never do, of the fall of 
Col. Ledyard and his brave companions ? Yes, they 
will tell him too, of the conflagration of New-London 
and point him to the foot-steps of the traitor Arnold. He 
will love his country and detest the Traitor. 

Who can stand by the banks of the Niagara, as that 
mighty current rushes by, and behold the monument 
erected on the spot where General Brock fell, and not be 
sensible that a King can be grateful for the services of a 
faithful soldier and brave man ? A Republic should sure- 
ly be as grateful as a monarch. In the present case, the 
citizens of this State make no unreasonble demand. The 
sum required is by no means extravagant, but it is ar- 
dently desired, that it may be known, that Captain Na- 
than Hale, one of Connecticut's brightest ornaments, per- 
ished in the cause of his country, while executing an or- 
der of his Great Commander. It will be no new prece- 
dent. Congress will find upon their own records, re- 
peated instances of the same character, having the same 
tendency. The example was first given them by the old 
Congress, and no appeal can be made to a source more 
elevated and pure. That body ordered monuments to be 
erected to the memory of General Motitgomery, General 
Mercer, Genera) Nash, and Baron De Kalb. Five thou- 
sand francs were paid in Paris, out of thi? nation's trpa- 



19 

sury, for General Montgomery's monument, which, oo its 
passage to this country, was lost at sea. In 1787 the mon- 
ument was erected at the cost of 300£ sterling. 

Eldridge Gerry was a soldier of the revolution, and 
Vice President of the United States. The gratitude of 
the nation marked the spot where his remains were de- 
posited, — and that monument cost the Government One 
Thousand Dollars. 

Major General Brown, a soldier of the late war, has a 
monument erected to his memory, which cost the Gov- 
ernment the same sum. Congress have purchased a 
marble bust of Mr. Jefferson, at the cost of four thousand 
dollars, and have placed the same in the National Library, 
that every pilgrim who may go there to read the history 
of this country, may be sure to know who it was that 
penned the Declaration of Independence. 

Should you happen to pass into the Supreme Court 
Room, there is a Marble Bust of Chief Justice Jay, and 
perhaps now one of Chief Justice Ellsworth, ordered by 
the Congress of the United States. During the last ses- 
sion, it was a gratification to give my own vote to appro- 
priate five hundred dollars for a Bust of the late Chief 
Justice Marshall. It was John Marshall, then a represen- 
tative of the people, who announced the death of Gene- 
ral Washington, " first in war, first in peace, and first in 
the hearts of his countrymen :" and now the sculptor's 
chisel IS employed to tell the world that he is dead ! In 
front of the Capitol stands a marble monument to com- 
memorate the intrepid services of Sommers, Wadsworth, 
Richards, Caldwell, Israel and Dorsey, at Tripoli. This 
was originally erected by their brother officers, yet Con- 
gress have piid the sum of twenty-three hundred dollars 
for its removal to that place, and re-building the same. 

Under the magnificent dome of the Capitol, are placed 
four National Paintings, executed at the cost of thirty-two 
thousand dollars, commemorative of the four great histo- 
rical events — Signing of the Declaration — Surrender of 
Burgoyne — the surrender of Cornwallis — and the resig- 
nation of General Washington's commission. 

What are these but monuments of glory, national glo- 
ry ? A resolution has also recently been adopted by the 
Senate to fill the remaining pannels of the Rotunda, and 
the expense will certainly not be less. 

Perhaps it may be said that in surveying this whole 



20 

county, we can find no monument to commemorate the 
deeds of Washington. We must Mait until the nation 
shall have done his memory justice before we proceed to 
pay that tribute to the memory of his confidential friend. 

The task is so mighty that we have not dared scarcely 
to approach it. To do justice, the base of such a monu- 
ment should sink to the centre of the earth, and its top 
reach the sky. 

But we have been making some advances, A resolu- 
tion was adopted by Congress, in 1799, " that a Marble 
Monument be erected by the United States in the Capi- 
tol at Washington, designed to commemorate the great 
events of General Washington's military and political 
life." 

This would have been long since accomplished, but 
Virginia — chivalrous Virginia, chose to retain the sacred 
relics upon his own native soil. They claimed the high 
trust of protecting his ashes. 

There is now in the Representatives' Hall, a Painting 
of General Washington, which cost $2500. I can also 
communicate to you the intelligence which I know will 
not be unwelcome. 

A Pedestrian statue of Washington is now in execu- 
tion in Italy, which will cost Thirty Thousand Dollars : 
one third of which has already been paid. 

These Monuments are to co-operate with history, in 
celebrating the name of the Father of his Country, and to 
corroberate that history through all coming time. 

There is a long catalogue of cases, having the same 
tendency, and are allied to these. 

Since the days of the gallant Truxton, it has been the 
constant usage of the Government, to reward acts of 
bravery on the ocean, by some imperishably memento. 
If dead, the memory has been honored. The language 
of the resolution, by which Congress ordered a gold 
medal to be struck in honor of Commodore Truxton, 
is peculiarly apt : — " Because he exhibited an example 
honorable to the American name." Ought not the na- 
tion to say as much of Captain Hale ? 

For similar reasons Congress have voted expensive 
gold medals and swords to Preble, Decatur, Hull, Perry, 
Bainbridge, Elliott, Jones, McDonnough, Warrmgton, 
Stewart, and Biddle. 

These are emblems of the nation's gratitude. Simi- 



21 

lar resolutions have been passed for the officers of the 
army. Costly gold and silver medals have been order- 
ed for gallant actions on the land. 

Five thousand dollars were appropriated the last ses- 
sion, to purchase medals and swords for Colonel Crogan 
and his officers. 

In this way have been honored, General Jackson, Gen- 
eral Ripley, Colonel Johnson, General Scott, General 
Harrison, General Gaines, General McComb, Colonel 
Shelby, General Miller, and many others. 

Those emblems of gratitude havn borne the approba- 
tion of the country to the living, while the block of mar- 
ble or granite shall speak with equal fidelity and honor of 
the dead. 

My appeal, then, is to you all ; do justice to the mem- 
ory of a brave and gallant young officer, who sacrificed 
his precious life at the shrine of liberty, for his country, 
and for you. 

Thus I have endeavored to establish , from justice and 
precedent both, that in the case before us, something is 
required at our hands, and from the goverment, and I 
confidently anticipate that all deedful aid will be aflforded. 

Having done this, the present occasion will not allow 
me to dwell on other important periods of the Revolu- 
tion. If it would, pride and honor should lead me to 
speak of the position occupied by our own native State, 
in the early councils of the nation and in the battle field. 
You know, already, that Connecticut and her devoted 
sons were among the first in that conflict. Her geo- 
graphical position rendered the assaults of the enemy 
easy, and the dangers great. The open, undisguised and 
bold assertion of her principles and her determination to 
maintain those principles, increased her perils. I could 
remind you of the smoking ruins of Danbury, East Ha- 
ven, Fair Haven, Norwalk, Fairfield and New-London. 
The inhabitants of the sea-board could come up hither 
and tell you that most of their towns and villages were 
sacked and plundered. 

I might repeat the language of one historian who has 
published some of these depredations : — " At New-Ha- 
ven," he says, " an aged citizen who labored under a nat- 
ural inability of speech, had his tongue cut out by one of 
the Royal army. " At Fairfield the deserted houses of 
the inhabitants were entered, desks, trunks, and closets 



90 



were broken open, and robbed of every thing valuable. — 
Women were insulted, abused, and threatened, while 
their iippcircl was taken from them. Even an infant was 
robbed ti' s clothes, while a bayonet was presented to 
the breast ui jts mother !" 

I could point you back, also, to those who were slain 
in battle. Knowlton and Ledyard and Worster : but I 
am compelled, by the exclusive occupations of this day, 
to pass by all these topics, interesting and exciting as 
they are, and leave them to a more fit occasion, and to 
abler hands. 

We have one consideration left. This day is the an- 
iversary of the evacuation of the city of New- York. On 
the 25th day of November, 1783, the King's troops with- 
drew from their last post. 

Your minds will naturally contrast two important pe- 
riods in our history, — seventy-six and eighly-three. — 
When Captam Nathan Hale fell on the 21st day of Sep- 
tember, seventy-six^ you saw nothing but the forebodings 
of despair ! In eighty-three a seven years' campaign of 
blood and carnage is ended. The Patriot's work is done, 
— the treaty of peace is signed, — and the news of free- 
dom flies to every corner of the earth. 

A new era has opened upon the world. " Gloom has 
been exchanged for glory,'' — tyranny for freedom. Eve- 
ry living man, and every volume of history, bear testi- 
mony that this era is the greatest and best the world has 
ever known, since the christian era. Consider what 
must have been the feelings of the American people on 
that day, as they beheld the British army gathering up 
their implements of death, and departing from the land 
they could not conquor. 

The Commander-in-Chief, — the Father of his coun- 
try, upon whose responsibility had so long rested the 
destiny of a confiding people, who can speak of his sen- 
sations, ' en he saw his armed foe, beaten, subdued, 
and prostiwe, leaving America free? 

What sentiments of approbation crowd the minds of 
those signers of the Declaration of Independence, when 
they contrast that day with seventy-six! The world 
bears witness that they were wise and patriotic, — and the 
gibits erected for them are now harmless things. 

Tell me, brave soldier, what were your joys ? for you 
then were a living witness of those scenes. You were 



23 

present, too, when the conquering Chief assembled his 
own army to re-possess the city thus evacuated. — See the 
triumphant march of free-born Americans, as they enter ! 
— How glorious ? 

Before you all, the great leader of your armies takes a 
retrospect of the dangers you had passed, and the victo- 
ries you had won. No wonder that his heart is over- 
flowing with gratitude when he bids you a final adieu. It 
was indeed a proud day for him^ for you, and for the 
Country. 

And now this contrast grows brighter and brighter 
every year. Then, the population ot the th '~teen Colo- 
nies was only three millions : now, we have ' x; millions 
added to that number, and twelve new States to the con- 
federacy. Then, there was no bond of union, excepting 
only a common interest : but now, we have that bond 
which resulted from the profoundest wisdom, — that bond 
which increases its strength with its years. Then, a sol- 
dier's blanket could not be made in all the country : and 
even the arms which had defended us, came from the 
other side of the Atlantic : but now we can manufacture 
for half the globe. 

To carry out this blessed contrast to its final results, 
we should anticipate the future — draw away that curtain 
which separates us from coming time. 

With the fertility of our soil — the diversity of our cli- 
mate — the industry, ingenuity, perseverance, intelli- 
gence, and moral courage of our people, — and with our 
free institutions, I enquire what shall be the condition of 
America m the next century ? Here, I confess to you, 
the capacities of my own mind are inadequate, and I 
leave your imaginations to supply the answer — to fill up 
the picture. 

If you w411 have it what it should be, reward the Pat- 
riot, and do justice to the memory of the Brave. 



MONUMENT TO THE MEMORY OF HALE. I 

At a meeting of the citizens of Coventry and the neighboring towns, 
'Convened agreeable to public notice, at the meeting-house in South 
Coventry, on the 25th of November, the following preamble, Constitu- 
tion, and Resolutions were adopted . 

PREAMBLE. 

Whereas, many of the citizens of this State have been influenced 
to form themselves into an association, to perpetuate the memory of one 
of their ill-fated fellow-citizens, it may become their duty to suggest the 
motives which have influenced them to this course. 

The views of party or political promotion can certainly have no right 
here, for the object of our commemoration is only one in which all the 
grateful sons of our country feel a common interest. The fame of our 
Revolutionary Heroes belongs to the M'hole country. We feel a desire 
that they should be rewarded in some degree, as their services merit, 
and as a grateful nation can never prove forgetful, or regardless of the 
memory of her favorite sons, we have hoped, and still do hope, that her 
Representatives will take this debt of public gratitude into their own con- 
sideration, and discharge it honorably to themselves and their country. 

Our only motive then, is to do honor to the memory of this our la- 
mented fellow -citizen, and transmit the same feeling to generations 
who shall come after us. We are aware that the subject has claimed 
the attention of the highest counsel in our nation, and has received a 
notice in some degree favorable, still, as the subject has not been car- 
ried to any practical termination, we have adopted this method of ex- 
pressing our testimony to distinguished worth. 

We wish not to take this subject from the consideration of Con- 
gress, or to superscede the necessity of their action on the subject ; but 
merely to co-operate with them if they should act, — or accomplish the 
desired object if they should not, and do therefore adopt the following 

CONSTITUTION. 

Article 1st. This Society shall be styled the HALE MONUMENT 
ASSOCIATION, and its object shall be the erection of a Monument 
in the public cemetry in South Coventry, Connecticut, near the se- 
pulchre of his Fathers, commemorating the services and death of Capt. 
Nathan Hale, in the war of the revolution. 

Article 2d. This Society shall consist of all contributors. The of- 
ficers shall be a President, three Vice Presidents, a Treasurer, Secreta- 
ry, Auditor, and seven Directors ; of whom, one Vice President, the 
Treasurer, Secretary, Auditor, and five Directors, shall be residents of 
the town of Coventry. The officers shall be elected by ballot at each 
annual meeting of the Society, and shall continue in ofiice until their 
successors are elected, and shall have power to fill vacancies. 

Article 3d. The President shall preside at all meetings of the So- 
ciety. In case of absence of the President, it shall be the duty of the 
Senior Vice President then to preside, and, for the time, to exercise 
all the powers of the President. It shall be in the power of the Presi- 
dent, either of the Vice Presidents, or Secretary, to call extra meetings 
of the Society, when they shall see fit. 

Article 4th. The annual meeting of the Society shall be held al- 
ternately at Hartford and New-Haven, during the session of the State 
Legislature, at such time and place as the President shall direct. 
Article 5th. The Treasurer shall receive and account to the Society 



for all monies collected for its use, and shall disburse the same to the 
' order of the Board of Directors. 

Article 6th. The Secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings 
of the Society, the names of all contributors, and the amount contribu- 
ted, and shall act as Secretary to the Board of Directors. 

Article 7th. It shall be the duty of the Auditor to examine the ac- 
counts of the Treasurer annually, and make his report at each annual 
meeting. 

Article 8th. It shall be the duty of the Board of Directors, of whom 
three shall constitute a quorum, to caiTy the object of this Society into 
efiect by all constitutional means, and shall render at each annual 
meeting, a statement exhibiting* the sums by them received and ex- 
pended, with the measures by them adopted. 

Article 9th. The Governor, Lieut. Governor, Heads of Depart, 
ments. Judges of Superior Courts, Members of Congress, and of the 
Legislature of this State, shall be honoraiy members. 

Article 10th. No amendment to this Constitution shall be made, 
except at an annual meeting of the Society, and with the concurrence 
of two thirds of the members present. 

OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY. 

President,— HENRY W. EDWARDS, Governor of Connecticut. 

1st. Vice President, Hon. Thomas S. Williams. 

2d. Vice President, Andrew T. Judson. 

3d Vice President, Chauncey Howard, Esq. 

Treasurer, Dr. Nathan Howard. 

Secretary, John W. Boynton. 

Auditor, Ebenezer Root, Esq. 

Dii-eciors,— Nathan H. Rose, John Boynton, Solomon Bidwell, Cal- 
vin Manning, Marvin Curtis, Nathan Hale, of Boston, David Hale, of 
New-York. 

RESOLUTIONS. 

Resolved 1st, That the noblest proof any man can give of patriotism, 
is to pledge his life, his fortune, and his sacred honor in the weal of 
his country. 

Resolved 2d, That no nation can be counted grateful while she neg- 
lects appropriate honors to her favorite sons. 

Resolved 3d, That in organizing this Association, we merely dis- 
charge a debt due to the memory of our lamented fellow-citizen, and 
our own sentiments of brotherly affection. 

Resolved 4th, That in cherishing such emotions we do but exercise 
the best feelings of our nature. 

Resolved 5th, That much as we lament the calamities of war, we 
still hope that whenever the liberties of our country shall be endan- 
gered, she will ever find a band of patiotic hearts faithfully devoted to 
her welfare. 

Resolved 6th, That the thanks of this Society are due to the mem- 
bers of our Congressional delegation who have volunteered their inte- 
rests in completing the object of this Association. 

Resolved 7th, That Editors of Newspapers and Periodicals through- 
out the United States, who give the above one or more insertions, and 
forward a copy of the same to the Secretary of this Society, shall be 
considered as contributors, and their names shall be recorded by the 
Secretary. JOHN BOYNTON, Secretary. 



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